Russia May Suspend Aerial Bombings but Not Ground Offensive in Donbas
During a nearly three-hour meeting on August 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed potential resolutions to the ongoing Ukrainian conflict at the Kremlin. The dialogue marks their fifth interaction this year, following a similar discussion in April, yet Putin continues to resist any agreements regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, reports 24brussels.
Footage shows the two leaders shaking hands at the meeting, with Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov present. Previous meetings have led to briefings from the Kremlin on negotiation outcomes.
Amid these discussions, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated his intent to impose sanctions on Russia and allied nations if a resolution is not achieved promptly. His recent reduction of the negotiation period from 50 days to 10 suggests urgency. “If the deadline comes and Russia has not agreed to a cease-fire, there will be sanctions,” Trump stated, though he acknowledged Russia’s adeptness at circumventing such measures.
International analysts suggest that Moscow might be willing to halt aerial bombings while maintaining its ground operations in the Donbas region and along Ukraine’s northern border. If an acceptable agreement fails to materialize, Trump is poised to extend sanctions against Russia, potentially affecting its oil associates, such as India and China.
On August 5, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the United States for imposing tariffs on India, asserting that sovereign nations have the right to make independent trade decisions. Peskov characterized U.S. threats to pressure countries into breaking trade relations with Russia as unlawful, emphasizing the need for mutual respect in international trade collaborations.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely for any shifts in Russia’s military strategy and the subsequent diplomatic responses from the U.S. and its allies.
